Transporting bicycles on trains

What are the rules?

Do you want a lovely cycling holiday? In many of our international trains it's possible to bring your own bicycle. That's handy! We recommend you travel during off-peak periods with your bicycle, but this is not mandatory when travelling internationally. Before you leave, check which rules apply for your train journey.

Conditions per train

Every train has its own rules for transporting your bike. Below you can read the possibilities to take your bike with you with each carrier:

Buying or reserving a bicycle ticket

For some trains, you'll need to make a reservation in advance or to buy a ticket if you want to bring your bicycle on board. You can book your train trip with bike at the NS International Service Center or the NS International counter at one of the Tickets & Service offices at the larger train stations. It's not possible to book online.
If you have any questions, you can contact NS International Service Center at +31 (0)30 230 0023.

Taking your bicycle on board Intercity Brussels

To travel with your bicycle on Intercity Brussels, you'll need an international bicycle ticket that costs about € 12.00 one-way. Are you travelling this summer, then a reservation is required for your bicycle. You can buy this reservation for € 4 for a single trip by calling +31 (0)30 230 0023 or at the counter at the station.
Folding bicycle
A folding bicycle is permitted free of charge. It needs to be folded and packed and placed above or under a seat or placed in the vestibules.
Please note:

It's your own responsibility to load and unload the bicycle.

It's not permitted to leave luggage strapped onto the bicycle during the trip.

Taking your bicycle on board Thalys

Bicycles on board Thalys are only permitted if they are packed in a bicycle case (135 x 85 x 30 cm). In order for it to fit, you'll need to dismantle the front and back wheel.

Folding bicycle
Folded folding bicycles are considered carry-on luggage as long as they are no larger than the size of a suitcase, namely 75 x 53 x 30 cm.

Please note:

You'll need to be at the platform 30 minutes before departure in order to have enough time to dismantle your bicycle.

If your bike doesn't comply with these conditions, you'll not be able to take it on board.

Taking your bicycle on board TGV

On board TGV, a bicycle is only allowed if its front wheel has been removed and if the bicycle is packed in a special bicycle slipcover (maximum dimensions: 120 x 90 cm). A tandem is not allowed on board.

Taking your bicycle on board Eurostar

A bicycle that is (folded) smaller than 85cm x 85cm (lxw) can be used as luggage. However, it must be packed in a slipcover that covers the entire bike. The alternative is to make a reservation to take your bicycle unpackaged/assembled. It’s also possible to send a bike as a large piece of luggage.

Unpackaged bicycles

In principle, a bicycle may be fully assembled in the following trains:

Eurostar Amsterdam-Brussels, for passengers continueing on to London.
Bicycles are only allowed to be brought by passengers who change trains in Brussels to a Eurostar train, with their final destination being London. You don't have to do anything: Eurostar staff will put your bike in your connecting train.

Eurostar Brussels – London v.v.
You can travel to Brussels with Eurostar (see above), but also with Intercity Brussels. Check your bike in when changing trains at Brussels-Midi station. Please note that during the summer months, you’ll also need to book a bicycle place for Intercity Brussels. Unfortunately, bicycles are not allowed on Thalys.

Eurostar Londen – Amsterdam (direct train)
Bicycles can only be taken on the morning train (departure at 7.16 hrs local time). You can only disembark in Amsterdam, so not in Brussels or Rotterdam.

Unfortunately, only a limited number of bikes can be brought on board and making a reservation is mandatory. We advise you to first ask if there’s a place available for your bicycle. If so, you can make a reservation for your bike and then book your Eurostar ticket. For information about available seats and reservations, please send an email to EuroDespatch@eurostar.com or call +44 (0)344 822 5 822.

Important to know: it’s not permitted to bring your bike on board yourself or take it out. Specialist staff must do this. At the stations in Brussels-Midi and London St. Pancras, there’s a registered luggage office, where you can deliver or pick up your bike. Delivery and collection at Amsterdam can be done at MacBike, on the IJ-side of the central station. You’ll receive more information about this when making your reservation. We advise you to be at the station at least 90 minutes before the departure to check in your bike. You need enough time to arrange everything.

Only bikes with a standard size and 2 wheels can be brought on board. No tandems, tricycles or children's trailers are allowed on board. All luggage must be removed from the bicycle.

Sending bicycles

Another option is to send the bike. This can be done inexpensively via the Eurostar Luggage Delivery service: First Luggage. They’ll pick up the bike at your home. After a maximum of 5 days your bicycle will be at its final destination. There’s a special rate, exclusively for Eurostar passengers. The bike must be packed in a bike case that is allowed on airplanes at the time of shipment. The maximum dimensions for such a bike case are 120 x 90 cm (lxw). On the Eurostar First Luggage site you can see the price for sending your bike and - if you like the offer - make and pay the booking: https://eurostarluggagedelivery.com.

Taking your bicycle on board ICE International

Regular bicycles are only allowed if they are packed as luggage. The packed bike must fit under the seat or in the luggage rack. If you take your bicycle with you, disassembled and packed, you don't need a ticket for your bike. Maximum packaging dimensions: 120 x 90 cm (lxw). For safety reasons, the aisles must be kept clear. Please make sure that your packaged bike has a luggage label with your first and last name.

Folding bicycles can be carried as luggage when folded, when they are placed in the luggage rack or under the seat. Folding bikes that are placed in the luggage rack must be packed in a cover, bag or suitcase for safety reasons. If the folding bike can be placed under the seat, packaging is not necessary.

ICE on the German stretch

Within Germany, there are many intercity and regional trains with special bicycle places. In a limited number of German ICE International trains, it's possible to reserve bicycle places. Passengers need a bicycle ticket and reservation to take a bike with them on a German ICE International or intercity train. For regional trains, only a bicycle ticket is required. Your bike doesn't need to be disassembled.

Regular bikes may also be carried as luggage if they fit under the seat or in the luggage rack. It's important to ensure safety on the train. The maximum dimensions for the packaging are 120 x 90 cm (lxw). A ticket is not required for a packaged bicycle.

Folding bicycles can be carried as luggage when folded and they can be placed in the luggage rack or under the seat. Folding bikes that are placed in the luggage rack must be packed in a cover, bag or suitcase for safety reasons. If the folding bike can be placed under the seat, packaging is not necessary.

Taking your bicycle on board Intercity Berlin

Intercity Berlin has a bicycle carriage, with room for 16 bicycles. You can take your bike with you and place it in this carriage. Tandems (two bicycle spaces are needed for them) and tricycles (for people with reduced mobility) are also allowed.

Bicycle ticket
You'll need an international bike ticket for your bike, which costs € 12 one-way. In addition, a reservation for your bike is required. You pay € 4 per one-way ticket. You can reserve a bicycle place by telephone, via the NS International Service Center or at the international desk. Please note that there is a booking fee of € 7.50 per person. You can bring a maximum of one bicycle per person.

Bicycles packed as luggage are also allowed if they fit under the seat or in the luggage rack. It’s important that safety on the train is guaranteed. Maximum dimensions for the packaging are 120 x 90 cm (lxw). A ticket is not required for a packaged bicycle.

Folding bicycle
Folding bicycles may be carried as luggage when folded, if they can be placed in the luggage rack or under the seat. Folding bikes that are placed in the luggage rack must be packed in a cover, bag or suitcase for safety reasons. If the folding bike can be placed under the seat, packaging is not necessary.

Dutch stretch only
Would you like to bring your bicycle only on board the Dutch stretch of Intercity Berlin? This is only possible with a domestic bicycle ticket. During peak hours and in the summer months, due to the crowds, bicycle transport is only possible for passengers with an international bicycle ticket and reservation.

Cycling to and from the station

Cycling is the ideal mode of transportation to get to and from the train station. That is why we offer you various bicycle services at all NS International stations.